L.A. Times Business Columnist David Lazarus joined us live to talk about credit cards getting security chips and Whole Foods naming their new chain stores. This segment aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on June 11, 2015.

L.A. Times Business Columnist David Lazarus joined us live to talk about credit cards getting security chips and Whole Foods naming their new chain stores. This segment aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on June 11, 2015.

I'm an online dating coach who has strong (negative) feelings about virtual dating assistants and the like! (http://theheartographer.com/online-dating-coaching-vs-outsourcing/ for more on that topic.) Basically, even if you apply for and are given these jobs, your entire role is then...

It said ghostwriters "would need a fast turnaround — the longest is 48 hours for each profile and every 10 emails. Writing has to be good — when emails get a positive response then bonuses may be paid."

The size of those bonuses, it said, was "TBD," as in "to be determined," as in good luck with that.

Maybe this is all legitimate. Maybe there's lots of money to be made while still allowing you to meet the demands of your personal life.

Or maybe you'll put in some hours and discover that you're either being underpaid or not paid at all.

I'm wary of most work-from-home schemes. Simply put, there's little incentive for the operators of such things to reward or nurture employees. More likely, they'll get what they can out of you and then move on to the next sucker.

So, Maria, my advice is to give things like this a try if you feel optimistic. But first, do your homework. Google the employer and see what others are saying. Scan the cyber-horizon for red flags.

And always go into things like this with your eyes open and with reasonable expectations.